Just a testament to the E300
 

I recently re-acquired my 99 E300 that's been in my family for about 12 years now. It has lots of sentimental value. My father bought the car when it was 4 years old with 122k miles. It was sold to my neighbor a few years ago, about five and I reacquired it from him for an excellent price. It's a fully optioned model. It has everything from the Xenon lignting package with headlight washers, very rare #199 Obsidian Black metallic with black leather interior, heated seats and the very first Mercedes Benz navigation system. Only ootions it's missing is the rear window shade and parktronic.

Hands down this is probably my favorite Mercedes I've owned. I got 32.5 mpg recently going up past Wilkes-Barre and back down the turnpike to Philly onthe same tank I left with. Great torque and highway power, and still rides excellent on its almost 20-years-old shocks and springs at 173k miles (very low mileage as well). I've put about 3k miles on it in less than a month.

Here's some pictures of the beast as well. In my opinion, this is the last Mercedes that was well-designed besides the w211. I'll probably buy another one this winter I'm thinking.
http://i67.tinypic.com/2je1e2p.jpg
http://i66.tinypic.com/izrw36.jpg

really, I am trying to be nice.... this era of cars from MB look like a bunch of fkd up easter eggs mated and laid their eggs on the w124's face..

eating its flesh and causing a large portion of the w124 to morph into this strange foreign creature with no form of its own.

sorry. I will probably never drive one. I will, however, testify to the om606. great engine.



no offense. I really couldn't think of anything nicer to say and didn't want to leave you hanging.

I will agree that styling has kept me away from the W210, that and rust issues, but otherwise I feel that these cars are excellent drivers and Mercedes did a fine job. The 606 turbo and overdrive alone are great improvements.

I had a very good friend who owned a '99 from almost new, black over black leather and well optioned also, never let him down and was a joy to drive and ride in.

Congrats on the return of this car, given the history, colors, and options I'd be very tempted to own this one also.

Hanging? What, your opinion means the world to him so you didn't want to leave him a second too long in anticipation of your breathless critique?

The w210 came out just after I got my first Mercedes, a w116 300sd. The w116 also elicited varying comments from people as the design aged, so I got used to nasty comments when I had mine.

In any case, I could not disagree more on the w210. I was initially taken aback by the front end, but it grew on me almost instantly. I remember scoring a prestige brochure from the local dealer, a 55-page tome. It was THE Mercedes I aspired to own after my w116. It actually took me some time to warm up to the w126.

Well times changed and a w210 wasn't anywhere near my reach when that time came. I may still end up with one now, who knows.

The worst thing I can say about the looks is that I find that, unlike most Mercedes, they look better in lighter colours.

They look better with AMG wheels. Look at the cute little Daimler sticker, still on the windshield. Keeper.

I have always loved the look of the w210's front end, the Quad oval lights and the grill just always looked extravagant. I remember when I was younger looking at them and wanting one.

That being said, I own one, my e290 wagon, and I will probably no own another. They are pretty poorly made. They drive wonderfully, and are decent to work on, but crap for quality. When my wagon finished rusting out in a couple years I plan on taking the entire drive-train and transplanting it into a late model w124 wagon.

Never the less, you look to have a very nice example there!

Don't knock em till you try em folks.

I'm with jt20 on this one. I love the w123, w126 and w116/5 cars growing up. The w124 took a little longer to love, but it's firmly in my heart now. However, the w210 had be sworn off from believing that MB could produce anything worth looking at again. It's 2016 and only a year or two ago I liked the w212 and they slowly had me looking back to the w211 with some fondness.

The w210 nearly killed my appreciation for modern MBs. It is so unbelievably bad looking, especially compared to the glorious final versions of the w124. No joke, the w210 reminds me more of the 96-99 Ford Taurus than any MB.

To each his own. I love my 98 E300, those Little Orphan Annie eyes notwithstanding. Only downside is susceptibility to rust, in my view.

that is a very narcissist view of the world. I am sorry you have to live like that.

I don't like seeing threads fall off the front page with '0' replies, so I responded with whatever I had and tried to keep it humorous. My intentions were good, but you've reminded me of why I don't come here anymore.


Regarding the w210 - I think it was just a weird time for automotive styling in general, perhaps. I recall when these cars were new, I thought they looked elegant.

Now, it really hasnt been that long but, to me, this style has not proved to be as timeless as its predecessors. W123 and W124 still look good to this day.

I have to agree, W210 looks like a goofy obese bastard son of VW beetle....but I can't deny it's comfortable as hell.

I'll keep my W210 E300TD for a very long time, goofy look or no. Reliability and comfort matters more than looks.

... and the 126. Maybe we should have a poll to see what everyone likes to look at, maybe limit it to 116/123/124/126/140/201/210/211? I'd have to say that to me, the 116/123 is my classic favorite look of these, 140 my favorite M-B beast look (like a 124 that works out), ... maybe the E500 should have its own category as this and the Hammer are timeless musclebenzes.

For fugly, I vote the early ML, was it a Honda or Mercedes, ... hard to tell.

Best classic look = W126 SEC, W124 AMG Hammer

W140 S600 looks different than regular S500. I can't pin down the difference, but it's apparent to me. And it looks beastly. And deceptively quick...kinda like a sumo wrestler wearing a fitted 3 piece suit.

Best sporty look = W201 190E 2.5-16v with the funky oversized spoiler and rolled fenders. I would kill to have that car as a daily driver. Failing that, the AMG hammer is a very close second.

Modern look = W211 facelift. The angular look makes it look very sharp. W212 facelift looks even better.

Well, I owned one from new, and let me tell you - they're definitely NOT trouble-free cars to keep in-repair. I found them to be very costly and a continuing headache to keep up with all the malfunctions mine presented as the years and miles clicked by. FWIW - the turbo /FAILING on mine was the first thing to go. That was a big ol bad surprise to encounter.
In retrospect, I don't think they're much of a value as contrasted with what else out there is extremely affordable too. I'd advise a jump to a very well-priced CDI, for anyone considering the W210 diesel.

Regards looks, style?
W210, although smallish, is among the best of the best of all time Daimler-Benz design. The retro/throwback, early 1950s facelift recharged the mid-size Daimler-Benz brand.
Worst? Hands down the Army-tank styled W124. Darkest style ever made in the mid-size category.
W140 - Ugh.
W212 - save your money and buy a used Cadillac DeVille of the same vintage. Drives exactly as a Caddy.
W123 - so homely, they grow on you.
W126 - another best of the best Daimler-Benz ever created.
W116 - another best of the best Daimler-Benz ever created in modern times, 1960s on forward........
Almost ANY model SL- terrific, timeless styling.